FORGET April showers - the warm weather is expected to continue this week as temperatures soar.

While Dorset is not expected to experience a 24 degree sizzle predicted for other parts of the south, it will be warming up significantly over the next few days.

The Met Office said the cool weekend was only a blip - with the “hottest days of the year” ahead for the UK as hot air surges north from southern Europe.

Parts of the UK will be the same temperature as Marrakech on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, maximum temperatures at the Dorset coast are expected to be 17 degrees midweek while further inland will be a lot warmer.

Detailing the outlook for the south west next few days, a Met Office spokesman said: "It may be rather cloudy at first on Monday, but brighter conditions should spread from the south west, with a good deal of warm spring sunshine for most parts during the afternoon.

"It will be warm and sunny through Tuesday and much of Wednesday. Probably cloudier later Wednesday and on Thursday with the odd shower possible, but still feeling warm in any sunshine."

The warmer spell is due to a tropical air-mass from the continent, which will give way to a stormy Atlantic weather system by the weekend.

Last week, families flocked to the beach to enjoy the warm weather over the Easter holidays.

However, many were forced to flee the sands on Thursday after sea mist crept along the coast and stayed for the day.